Goose Creek CISD board approves repurposing of Lamar Elementary after hours of public comment

Goose Creek CISD’s Board of Trustees voted 6–1 on Dec. 16 to approve a plan to repurpose Lamar Elementary, a decision that district officials said is driven by declining enrollment, facility underuse on the district’s south side and an effort to reduce an anticipated budget shortfall.

The board approved a motion “to approve the repurpose of Lamar Elementary as presented tonight,” moved by Mr. Clem and seconded by Miss Guy; the motion passed by a 6–1 vote. Trustees discussed facilities data, staffing plans and next steps before the vote.

District leaders framed the decision around a Feb. 2024 demographic study by PASA and an internal long-range facilities committee called GC 20 35. Kendall David, executive director of community engagement, said the demographic study shows underutilization on the south side and that a districtwide rezoning could affect roughly 4,000–5,000 students (about 18 percent of the district). David said consolidation of a south-side campus would generate about $2.4 million in annual savings and that the district faces a multi-million-dollar deficit this school year.

“The demographic study … is reflective of that,” David said during the presentation. “Ultimately, this is a very difficult…